510 MAYAN CALENDAR SYSTEMS (ETH. ANN. 19 
only to a rearrangement of their calendars, for the calendars themselves had heen in 
existence for unknown centuries; hence, these records probably denote the time at 
which they changed their chronological methods to conform to those of their neigh- 
bors. Our best hope of correlating the calendars lies in the discovery of some record 
made by the Nius in their new home previous to this change. 
The difficulty in this theory lies in the fact that precisely the same 
calendar system continued down to the coming of the Spaniards, at 
least in some of the districts. This is proved by the codices, some 
of which we know were in use down to that time, though possibly 
understood only by the priests, and the radical differences in the 
month names seems to have been of comparatively recent date. The 
same general system, allowance being made for differences in names 
and forms of symbols, was also found, as has already been mentioned, 
among the Aztec, Zapotec, and some other stocks. In fact, except 
for the differences in the names of the months and of some of the days, 
the change of dominical days by the people among whom the Troano 
codex was written, and some difference in counting the months which 
seems to have obtained among some of the Cakchiquel, the calendar 
system was uniform among the Mayan tribes from the first notice we 
have of it to the coming of the Spaniards. The idea, therefore, 
advanced by Mr Goodman of an ** Archaic calendar,” which ceased 
to be in use about the time of the Niu migration, between sixteen 
hundred and two thousand years ago, appears to be without valid basis. 
Finally, on this point I think I will be justified in the statement that 
if the archaic Mayan chronologic system was so complete and perfect 
as it is believed by Mr Goodman to have been, it was the most system- 
atic, orderly, and complete time system ever known to the world, not 
only outranking in this respect the oriental systems, but even those of 
modern civilization. We are therefore compelled from our examina- 
tion of the subject, while commending as exceedingly valuable his real 
discoveries, which have been noticed, to reject his theory in regard to 
the ancient Mayan chronologic system, so far as it differs from that 
generally received, believing that he has mistaken the notation used 
by this ancient people in counting time for a veritable time system. 
One somewhat startling result of Mr Goodman’s theory in regard 
to the Mayan time system is the conclusion reached by him in refer- 
ence to the range of time over which the history of the Maya people 
has extended. This is shown in the following extract from his work: 
Let us, finally, consider for a moment the possibilities of duration for that Maya 
empire. The Mayas were a primitive, pure-blooded, united people. No ancestral 
prejudices or racial jealousies could spring between them. Whatever tendencies there 
were dependent on the inserutable laws of nature must all have been in common. 
They were strong in numbers, and stronger still by their great and solitary enlighten- 
ment. They occupied a territory that is practically a fortress. To the east, south, 
and west there is not area enough to harbor savage foes in numbers that would have 
been formidable even if coalesced, and to the north, if necessary, they could oppose 
their united forces. No other great nation ever occupied so secure a position. Hence 
